Helper’s revitalization in recent years has been nothing short of miraculous. A town on the brink of extinction has been revived into one of Utah’s most vibrant rural communities. Helper City Mayor Lenise Peterman continues to pursue this redevelopment, which now includes improvements to the Helper City Auditorium.
The plaque outside the historic building reads,” Built in 1937, the Helper Civic Auditorium was designed by Salt Lake City architects Carl W. Scott and George W. Welch … The auditorium features Art Moderne elements such as the flat roof emphasized by concrete coping and coursing, smooth masonry with curved corners, glass block, and pilasters with abstracted capitals.”
Despite its historical significance, the auditorium finds itself in dire need of renovation to help it thrive and provide for future generations. “we did receive an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields grant to remediate the building, to remove asbestos tile, to remove lead paint, to create a healthier building,” explained Mayor Peterman,” And with that award came an opportunity for a technical assistance grant from the Brownfields group to do kind of a site analysis in conjunction with the community for what they would like this building to be. So we really want to get community feedback for what they might like to see there.”
According to the EPA, the Brownfields program,” provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties.”
To help receive community input, the city will be hosting a town hall event where citizens can provide suggestions for both the EPA and City Council regarding what they want to be done with the auditorium,” it’s going to be an informal kind of meet and greet. We may ask you to put Post-its and write down ideas on the wall. But it’ll be a come and go as you can because we wanted to make it as inclusive and open as possible.”
Mayor Peterman then explained her perspective on the event”: I just know the value of these buildings, and creating healthy buildings and activating them is really key to helping with sustainability. So I am thrilled to be working with the EPA on this effort.”
In closing, Peterman stated,” Just come out Jan. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Helper Auditorium. I look forward to seeing you there and hearing what you think about the auditorium.”
The Helper Auditorium community meet-and-greet will take place on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Helper Civic Auditorium.